What are the first 3 harmonica keys I should buy?

Every beginning blues harmonica player should expand their toolkit, early in the game, into a set of three harmonicas in different keys. This video tells you what keys to buy--and why. With Adam Gussow of Modern Blues Harmonica.
Gussow, who has been playing blues harmonica for half a century and teaching it for almost 35 years, is best known for his partnership with Mississippi-born bluesman Sterling "Mr. Satan" Magee in the duo Satan & Adam.
www.modernbluesharmonica.com/biography.html
www.modernbluesharmonica.com/beginning_harmonica.html
www.modernbluesharmonica.com/learn-harmonica.html

[@renzocheesman6844]

Hey Adam, just wanted to stop buy and tell you that I bought my first harmonica when I was in my teens and I spent hours after school watching your videos and tutorials back in Peru where I'm from. I had no idea how to do any of that cool stuff you did but I kept at it and its been more than 10 years now and I actually made it to Berklee College of Music and constantly get hired as a session harmonica player. All of it started here in your KZbin channel. Its crazy how most youtubers don't realize how they can actually help shape their viewers' lives. Thanks man

[@RJ_HTx]

Nice! Do you have any books or videos that you recommend when it comes to learning the Harmonica ?

[@codyrounsaville2712]

Started with the C, I've been playing everyday for the past 8 months following my own self guided Blues Harmonica journey, watches everything there was on KZbin (lol) eventually broke down and bought the "Blues harmonica for dummies" this book really set me in a stable ever growing direction, my current harp Is MB 1896 key of A, I absolutely love the deep foresty, oaken stone sounds this harp makes. Because of you Mr Gussow I've gotten to the point in my life where I get calls some weekends asking me to come play at the pub where I live. You really straighten a crooked nail out sir. Hats off to you and FYI I saw you at Walmart a month of so back and was so nervous to tell you what all you've done for me and my journey... Lol hats off old sport!

[@larryrhindress2972]

A friend gave me a collection of 35 different harps that his father in law had. I am overwhelmed. I can play a bit, but your lesson has put me in a different level! So very well done and it all makes sense now. Thank you sir, Nova Scotia is grateful !

[@CarlitosMayo]

Interesting. Thank you.

[@redmimic5532]

You are a good man and people should tell you that everyday

[@allenhawker3911]

I love the A harmonica. Probably my favorite right now. Sounds so good in cross to a blues song in E. But the harmonica regardless of key rocks! Best decision I made about a year ago was to start learning how to play. Wish I had known this earlier in life. I’m 56 but it’s all good.

[@jltrem]

My personal favorites, G and A. Always liked the lower tones.

[@lcristante]

Same here :)

[@smileymcgee6584]

Just ordered my first harmonica after being influenced here. Your KZbin short in the Memphis’s bathroom got me hooked! Keep it up Adam I can’t wait to learn!

[@carltakats327]

I finally saw the movie Satan & Adam I loved it. I found that out a different harps different keys Lolo harder a little softer thanks for all your videos are very helpful have a blessed day

[@oscardarrell83]

I started two weeks ago..my first harmonica is Hohner Silverstar key of A because i like to jam with my own guitar on E as the root. Now i hv Marine Band key of E which is my best harmonica i own. Very air tight. I bought it second-handed. Mint condish. I like it alot.

[@doBitch]

I love your explain! Thank you so much, especially for sounds examples

[@IanDavisOfficial]

I just purchased a set of Hohner BluesBand and your videos have been really helping!

[@SimonE-nm7ux]

I'm in the process, learning and having fun with your lesson plan. Thank you, greetings from Costa Rica (sorry for my English)

[@Jesticles85]

My first real harp was a golden melody in D years ago and now that im getting more seriously into playing and learning bends and such, i had to get a C and now want an A. I was really making it hard for myself starting with that high key harp!

[@thomasblaney]

Thanks Adam. Now I know what I want for Christmas :)

[@JB-rw9xt]

I find that I play C, D, A and G the most -- in that order. After that -- B flat.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I play C, A, D, and B-flat the most. Then G and F in a tie. But I think that F is important to have early on, both for the noticeable difference required to bend notes and for how it lets you play blues with piano players who prefer C.

[@JB-rw9xt]

Agreed. I own E and F as well as a low F and find that I play F a lot when I'm jammin' to Snooky Pryor aka Rip Lee Pryor. @@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726

[@margin_blurred]

真好听❤

[@nacoran]

That's the order I'd suggest too, but I'm fond of the D harp specifically because it's great for Celtic stuff. After that, I personally like the Bb, but that's because it fits my vocal range. G (also good for Celtic stuff, not as fast playing, better for lullabies!), and rounding out the first 6, I personally prefer a Low F.

[@thisawkwardlife]

these two! 🔥

[@graywolf3456]

🐺 Great video thanks for sharing Brother. Yep when I hit the wrong note like you I also say that's not my fault the harmonica must be out of tune I reckon one of my kids got hold of it lol . Again great video. Stay safe and God bless brother. 🇺🇲🦅

[@JamesSmith-yl4sm]

Firstly....shout out to all those just learning the harmonica and beginning to enjoy the journey Mr Gussow : Ive just started learning the C Tune harmonica only one month ago....im stuck on a farm in the middle of Australia working as a geologist with nothing more than a cheap guitar and harmonica for entertainment of an evening.... i would just like to extend my appreciation for your videos...they have rekindled a spark that i discovered starting the guitar 20 years ago.... please keep posting videos for us beginners....ive found you are one of the most straightforward yet rewarding teachers....love your work and i hope to grow as a harmonica player and blues enthusiast under your online tutorage... James from Australia

[@maamemorneau355]

J'aime beaucoup votre contenu et ça me motive à en apprendre plus sur cet instrument.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Merci pour ca. Moi, j'aime bien essayer a communiquer les "subtleties" de l'instrument.

[@andydunn5673]

Wipe on wipe off Master My first harmonica s we’re exactly what you suggested that top ones should be. My wife has commented that she is as used to hearing your voice in our house ( via KZbin) as my own Thanks Professor Because of you I play Blues Harp If I can You can

[@AdvancedLawn]

Hey Adam. Will you revamp a few advanced lessons for us? We would love to get some hard stuff to practice and motivate us. Ps. Hope the blue thunder car is running strong still! I was happy to help with that information.

[@kingtutukartuts9903]

So I ordered a G and I got a G minor. Man it's not what I thought but I think it's taught me about major and minor. however I struggle to play it. Don't suppose you have one? It would be awesome for a bit of inspiration for it would love to hear how a G minor is done

[@Slapping-tin-sandwich]

Hey great video, self taught new player here. I’m still a little lost I notice I can play the same Melodie’s using different keys and the same holes but it sounds funky sometimes. Do I have to reassign based on musical notes or just move to the position the key? Also are some bends and or over followed exclusive to certain keys?

[@fatrickbateman9473]

Can you make a better playlist for beginners? I’m just learning, found your videos. I’d appreciate it if you could put them together, your first got a pretty good little song out of me.

[@Pavel_Karpik]

Do you impregnate the front side of the comb with an extra layer of varnish/oil? And if so, what kind?

[@michaeljmccurdy9449]

thanks for the video. I immediately ordered an A harp; an East Top in the middle of this video. I bought my first harmonica as an adult last week; a Special 20 in G then, two days ago, ordred an East Top C because I can't justify spending a lot of money, at this point. ALSO, a VERY interesting video, imo, would be: Play the same blues riff on every harp in a large set of like, 12 or something. As a raw beginner, the comparisons would be super helpful. thanks again!

[@jltrem]

Been getting some East Tops because I'm an old guy who remembers buying Hohner Marine Bands for $3 and Hohner Blues Harps for $5, yeah, a cheapskate. Very impressed by the East Tops. Even bought a 10 hole (1040) Chromatic.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I've never tried the East Tops--and of course I'm a Hohner endorser--but they may be worth looking at for players on a budget. I do encourage beginners to try a range of harps before settling on one particular make and model.

[@andydunn5673]

I understand money is very important to us all. I used to buy from China for my company. Between 3 and 5. 40” containers a year I would put anything from China in my mouth for 5 to 10 hours a week Buy From Germany, Hohner is my favourite or Seydel and Suzuki from Japan You always get what you pay for or not

[@michaeljmccurdy9449]

@andydunn5673 very true! I will consider that for future purchases for sure!

[@jltrem]

@@andydunn5673 I'm old enough to remember the days when anything labeled "Made in Japan" was considered junk, and some of it was. These days judging a product by it's country of origin is in no way accurate. Our TVs, laptops, cellphones, we had our kitchen remodeled, the oven is an LG brand, made in China, our washer and dryer, same brand. I also play guitar. Walk into any Guitar Center, 75-80% of the guitars in there were made in China or Indonesia. Eastman guitars, made in China, far outweigh the quality of Gibsons, at far lower price. The lower priced Hohners are made in China. I took a chance with the East Tops and was pleasantly surprised. My first harmonica was a Hohner 64 Chromonica, it cost $20. Granted it was 1968 (I still have the Hohner brochure that came with it with the varying prices). Now they're $325. I can afford it, but I'm a play at home guy. While I have Hohners and Suzukis, the less expensive harps do me fine.

[@williamhoughton1484]

Adam , We are currently in NewYork. My daughter is running the Marathon 2023 . Just wondering what part of Harlem did you play in back in the day?

[@worlore1651]

can you o a video of just playing each harmonica key to show the differences?

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I sort of did this in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2bTZaSrgJx3r7M

[@AndresReyes-lw2po]

I play a Honer, marine, band harmonica in the key of B

[@vac33]

what about buying a 12 holes in c hohner 364 24

[@nighthawk_predator1877]

Buddy, if i could do that with you, (bending notes) I wouldn't be here watching you now 😂

[@chrishammonds72]

So far I’ve got C A D G Bb & E but the E is too high for me. A & Bb seem to be my favourites

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

Aha! It's precisely because the E feels too high for you that you should spend some time with it, getting to know it. It's a great harp. Not used that often, but occasionally. I think Mick uses an E on "Midnight Rambler." I use one on "Tore Down." kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5qkqHp9nK2Jia8

[@andydunn5673]

Check out his lesson on Box pattern on an F . It’s is out of this world. So much so I bought an and play it a lot

[@manuelgonzales6483]

Should I get a Honer special 20

[@sasaivanovic783]

Yes. Superb harp,profesional! Easy for playing!

[@MrSupersidewinder]

Always a solid choice... Except the new 'progressive' model needs a torx driver... East Tops T008k are getting good reviews and they are cheap... Like 25.00.

[@manuelgonzales6483]

@@MrSupersidewinder thanks. Have Blues Bender models, want to build a great arsenal of harmonics 🎶😎

[@j.d.leslie8458]

Yes, absolutely. If I was told I needed a half dozen harps in different keys and could only buy one model, the Special 20 would be it.

[@Ankjell]

Gussow focus LOL 😂

[@Jack-fs2im]

Don,t get it a C harp goes CEGCEG not starting on G uh

[@inderneilboseroychowdhury]

My first 3 were C, A & E in 1977. But then I lost interest in diatonic harmonica. I still pass time on diatonic. But on the chromatic I can play what I want to. Besides bending & all that on a diatonic. But anyway it's a matter of different opinions & playability. Not everyone can do that magic on the diatonic what Howard & Greene are capable of as far as bending it besides the one's those who are constantly sticking around to repeat the same old Blue's melody till it gets bland to my ears. In regards to my own taste it gets bland after a while. Can't keep on squeezing the lemon till it get bitter eh! But no offence toward the Blue's enthusiasm either. But it has it's own limitation for amateur player like myself & the irritation of incomplete octave on top of it.